Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-29

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Fuller Department Commander Bodgett,
eXGov.. J. l.. Barstow, Hon. Warren
Gibbs of St. Adams, clergymen of various
churches in this city, members of stan
nard post and others. Commander f. H.
Thick presided in his usual happy
manner and introduced the yari-
GUS speakers of the evening Mu-
sic was furnished by Il double male quar-
tette consisting OF Messrs Cornell, Rose
lsham, Wheeler, Walker, Knapp, Story
ana swift, and by Sherman's Military
band, both of which very kindly donated
their services for this occasion. The pro
gramme opened with the Gen Stannard
March, composed by Mr.. q. ID Sherman
ana dedicated to Stannard Post. The
composition is worthy of Mr.. Sherman's
reputation and the baud rendered it in Il
very pleasing manner. The star
| Spangled Banner was next sung by the
double quarette in Il way that kindled
the enthusiasm Of all in attendance.
THE HISTORICAL SKETCH.
A historical sketch of Stannard post was
then read by County Clerk o. p. Ray in a
very acceptable manner The following
facts were developed; In March, 1868,
number of veterans met in the store of
Jed p. Clark & Co. in this city for the
purpose of inaugurating G. A. r. post
1t was decided to organize and Gen. L. >
Peck was authorized to procure charter,
which he did, the lamented John A. Lo-
gan signing the instrument The follow
ing were named as the charter members
George j. Srannard, George H. Bigelow,
Theodore 5. Peck, Romeo II. Start, John
J. Balm, Jr., W. W. Henry, A. H Keith,
c. ). Shattuck, W. ID. Munson, Heman r.
Wing and Alexander &. Watson. The
oath was prescribed and the charge ad-
ministered to the new members by Gen.
L. >. Peck, who had previously joined the
Grand Army and Gen. w. w. Henry was
elected post commander. The post start
ed out under favorable auspices and was a
tlourlshlng Organization from the outset.
: 1t has since had its period of trial and dis
enlargement, but it was never in a more
, flOurishing condition than at the present
time with membership of 10. The post
is the oldest in the department and many
} of its members have held prominent posi-
: tons in the national and department
, council. 1t has furnished three depart
ment commanders, five assistant adjutant
: generals, four assistant quartermaster
generals and other department officers.
l The list of post commanders since the
organization of the post is as follows
| Gen. w. W. Henry, 1868, go ana II; X. II.
start 1870 and II II. >. Peck, lS12; War
rem Gibbs, 1873. ~, 70, 'e3 and 81 !; a. q.
Watson, 1876; G.. f. Morse, lS1S Eben
t Taplin, 1879; Myron Scullin, 1850; f. 5.
Francis, 1851 and 'S2; L. H. Trick, 1855,
'S6 and 'S7.
The present adjutant and quartermaster
have held their respective positions III
years. Up to 1884 the post had no flag
. but during that year the organization gave
an entertainment and with the proceeds
procured one OF the finest flags now in the
department. During the 10 years OF the
posts existence they have expended in be
half OF needy comrades and their families
Sll15, of which amount Sis As was for
: funeral expenses and 1884 for head tones.
The amount given to transient needy sol
diers is estimated at $1,000.
In the year 1869 the post observed Me
mortal Day with appropriate services and
the day has been COMMUNICATED by them
ever since. The post have erected 81 head
stones over the graves of veterans but
there are still lS4 unmarked graves of vet
, Grams in the different cemeteries in this
city.
Marching through Georgia was ther
D sung by the double quartette in spirited
e style, after which came the campfire story
by Gen. Henry.
: GEN HENRY'S CAMPFIRE STORY
t The subject of Gen. Henry's campfire
: was From Cold Harbor to Cedar Creek ;
f He said
4 Comrades and Friends During the war
2 many night we gathered around tnt
( campfire, fought our battles over and tolC
stories about our school boy DAYS; and
uOW as Tue WAL ClOuuS nave TOlleu ny
:, again we meet around these peaceful i'm
v aglnary campfires and tell over what W,
s saw during the late unpleasantness
k My story to night will be about some o
- the scenes | witnessed after we left Cole
Htrbor, June u, 1864, over the Chcka
hominy, across the James River, arounC
Petersburgh, back into Maryland, theme,
e up the valley of the Shenandoah to thu
o. victory at Cedar Creek, October 49, 1864
y about 1919 days in all. My 10 officers auc
y $50 as good soldiers as ever marched I'm
II der the old flag, had laid around Cole
l. Harbor for II days and were glad enough
:, OF the change when the order came to bt
q ready to march. Gen. Henry then gave de
n scription of the country around the Chick
II ahominy, with its half mile of deadl,
swamps near the plain five miles iron
Richmond, where Gen. Lee fought then
so stubbOrnly. The successive marches o
r the company with their campln,
lie places were then spoken of until Gen
> Henry reported to Gen. Lew Wallace il
Frederick City on the morning of July S
d Gen. Wallace ordered him to move a
,r once to Monocacy bridge where he arriv
5, ed some time in the night. Then followe,
& an account of the battle where 1900 mel
T. met from 1900 to $1,000 old veterans O
lie Early. On the morning of the 9th of July
IL 1864, three of the officers started to 20 /
or Frederick to get warm breakfast whic
Is they had ordered the night before, but ha
d only reached the outside of the picket lin
ID when they saw squad of cavalry an,
ar leisurely rode up to them, when suddenl
II a volley from carbines was fired at then
70 and they retreated, eating hard tack an
er coffee with the rest that morning. 500
u, after the picket lines We're sharply engage
70 and this was kept up with such spirit tina
20, in "A little while the men seut back fC
rs ammunition. Then followed graph
IN account of the battle, ending with the r.
IS treat through IA corn field mp steep hill
I'd lnto the woods and out into IA pastur
With depressed feelings the survivor